[tex-k] mktexfmt ?

[Vladimir Volovich]

Hi,

i wrote:

> current approach to call latex used in some distributions like TeX
> Live uses scripts like:
> 
> #!/bin/sh                                                                                                                                         
> test -f "`kpsewhich latex.fmt`" || fmtutil --byfmt latex                                                                                          
> exec tex -fmt=latex ${1+"$@"}                                                                                                                     
> 
> could tex & friends instead call mktexfmt (or fmtutil) which will try
> to build a format file if it does not exist on the fly (like it builds
> e.g. missing TFM files)?
> 
> then, we can use just symlinks latex -> tex
> and this will work when there's no latex.fmt

Oh -- sorry -- i see that tex & friends already do exactly this.

Then i have a request to Sebastian -- please do not use scripts like
above, and instead use symlinks.

Best,
v.